Cultural Diversity --Wouldn't the world be a boring place if we were all the same type of people, the same type of culture?
Diversity is the quality of diverse or different cultures, as opposed to monoculture (one similar culture), or a homogenization (becoming the same kind) of cultures. The phrase cultural diversity can also refer to having different cultures respect each other's differences. Cultural diversity is exciting and energizing!
Appreciating cultural diversity, however, is more than enjoying another culture's food, music or customs. It is about accepting people for who they actually are and understanding where they are coming from--their experiences, their values, opinions, and their perspectives. This isn't always so easy. You need to learn how to reduce your "Empathy Gap" and practice the art of empathetic listening and sharing.
Watch this video to see what a difference empathy makes (instead of sympathy!)
People often confuse the words empathy and sympathy. Empathy means ‘the ability to understand and share the feelings of another’ (as in being able to share or understand the feelings and experiences of the heroine in a novel), whereas sympathy means ‘feelings of pity and sorrow for someone else's misfortune’. (as in "They had great sympathy for the flood victims.")
What is empathy? The ability to understand the feelings and experiences of another.
Classwork/Homework:
Read a Story from India called "The Blind Men and the Elephant" about cultural awareness and trying to understand different experiences and perspectives. Then answer the comprehension questions. Be prepared to discuss the story with your classmates. Either use the story handout or click below to read the document here. When finished with either, answer the comprehension questions below to see how much you remember of the story! At the end of the questions you will receive a certificate with your percentage of correct answers. Be sure to print your certificate and put your name on it!
Three Stories from the Peace Corps: Pick one of these stories to read and answer the questions on your worksheet. The worksheet file is below. Be sure to upload your worksheet to your Google drive and SHARE it with your teacher before class tomorrow.
"Knowing about the countries and cultures of the world is an important part of every student's education, but here we are not primarily concerned with this type of knowledge. Here we want to discover knowledge that gives you POWER to change the world! Are there conditions in the world that BUG you? Do you get sad when you hear about a problem or an injustice in the world? Here you will learn how you can make a difference in your life, your neighbors' lives and the lives of people you haven't even met yet in the world. Check out the next video!"
Day 1: Cultural Diversity and Empathy
Diversity Video
Cultural Diversity --Wouldn't the world be a boring place if we were all the same type of people, the same type of culture?
Diversity is the quality of diverse or different cultures, as opposed to monoculture (one similar culture), or a homogenization (becoming the same kind) of cultures. The phrase cultural diversity can also refer to having different cultures respect each other's differences. Cultural diversity is exciting and energizing!
Appreciating cultural diversity, however, is more than enjoying another culture's food, music or customs. It is about accepting people for who they actually are and understanding where they are coming from--their experiences, their values, opinions, and their perspectives. This isn't always so easy. You need to learn how to reduce your "Empathy Gap" and practice the art of empathetic listening and sharing.
Watch this video to see what a difference empathy makes (instead of sympathy!)
The Empathy Gap
Vocabulary Focus:
People often confuse the words empathy and sympathy. Empathy means ‘the ability to understand and share the feelings of another’ (as in being able to share or understand the feelings and experiences of the heroine in a novel), whereas sympathy means ‘feelings of pity and sorrow for someone else's misfortune’. (as in "They had great sympathy for the flood victims.")
Video on empathy #1
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nHnt-5ZN_Cs
Video on empathy #2
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Evwgu369Jw
Video on empathy #3
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ObYLerYbzts&feature=em-subs_digest
What is empathy? The ability to understand the feelings and experiences of another.
Classwork/Homework:
Read a Story from India called "The Blind Men and the Elephant" about cultural awareness and trying to understand different experiences and perspectives. Then answer the comprehension questions. Be prepared to discuss the story with your classmates. Either use the story handout or click below to read the document here. When finished with either, answer the comprehension questions below to see how much you remember of the story! At the end of the questions you will receive a certificate with your percentage of correct answers. Be sure to print your certificate and put your name on it!
Day 3
Developing Empathy Means Understanding Others Perspectives:
These videos are no longer available! Need to replace.
Watch these short videos from the Peace Corps about cultures with practices very different from ours:
An Introduction to Burkina Faso
The Nens of Thailand
Mongolian Traditional House
Both Hands
Three Stories from the Peace Corps: Pick one of these stories to read and answer the questions on your worksheet. The worksheet file is below. Be sure to upload your worksheet to your Google drive and SHARE it with your teacher before class tomorrow.
Empathy or Sympathy (example of empathetic or sympathetic statements for students to react to)
"Rhianna and Global Citizens visit Malawi for Education" Watch a video about understanding African perspectives on education:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VqmFKnHG5q8
Exit Question: How can we have empathy for people and cultures so radically different from our own?
How can you build up your "empathy quotient"?
"Knowing about the countries and cultures of the world is an important part of every student's education, but here we are not primarily concerned with this type of knowledge. Here we want to discover knowledge that gives you POWER to change the world! Are there conditions in the world that BUG you? Do you get sad when you hear about a problem or an injustice in the world? Here you will learn how you can make a difference in your life, your neighbors' lives and the lives of people you haven't even met yet in the world. Check out the next video!"
Youtube Video: Emma Watson explains the Global Goals:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sTt5YW7Pagc